The new laser bill printing system is a result of a strategic partnership between the SSGC and the IBM.
IBM has not only been responsible for creating the world-class facility at the company, but will continue to manage its system for an extended period.
The system will run on IBM's latest, highs peed printer capable of printing 333 pages per minute on continuous-feed forms.
The second project of Scanda System has been developed to its third phase by engineers and experts of the company.
The Scada System seamlessly connects all gas fields and town border stations (TBS's) to the company's network of transmission and distribution lines, across Sindh and Balochistan, the statement said.
The entire system to be controlled and managed from a single point ie the Karachi Terminal of the company.
Speaking after the inauguration of the laser bill printing facility, the Federal Minister, Amanullah Khan Jadoon expressed his satisfaction at the commissioning of the first of its kind facility jointly established by IBM and SSGC.
He considered it a great achievement for the ministry that one of the oil and gas sector companies, SSGC, has embarked an innovative technology initiative.
He said this would lead to the optimal use of our resources to deliver benefits to customers.
Applauding the SSGC's singular achievement, the Federal Minister said the Scada System transfers real time data directly into the (company's) business systems and is part of the company's efforts in the last two years to embark on a major mission to use technology as a strategic asset.
The Managing Director of SSGC, Munawar Baseer Ahmad, said 2005 is the year for Pakistan, when everything is coming together.
He explained the vision of the company in terms of adopting the best business practices and pointed out that IBM had been chosen to install the LBPS, on the basis of a clear and transparent selection system of evaluation.
The investment by IBM will be paid for itself once the installed capacity is fully utilised, he added.
He said, it would bring about considerable savings for SSGC, as it significantly reduces the time taken to identify a fault in the company's 26,000-km network.
From a matter of several hours in the past, the Scada System enables the company's engineers to detect and manage a gas leak or fault in the system within a matter of 20 to 30 seconds. Earlier, Humayun Bashir, the Country Manager of IBM, explained the salient features of the new Laser Bill Printing System and indicated the seriousness of his company in making business investments in Pakistan.
He complimented SSGC on partnering with IBM in this unique venture and in adopting the latest technology despite being a public sector organisation.-PR